Sixth: Fraternity with the Sister Churches Our bond with the sister Churches is more than a relationship—it is a fraternity rooted in our shared faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though we express this faith through diverse traditions, rites, and cultures, these differences enrich rather than diminish our unity. What unites us must remain the foundation of our common witness. We are not isolated communities but parts of one living mosaic, each contributing to the fullness of the Church. No Church can flourish alone, nor can any single Church encompass all things within herself. The strength of the Chaldean Church is inseparable from the strength of the other sister Churches, especially in the East and in Iraq. In particular, our ties with the Assyrian Church of the East and the Ancient Church of the East are rooted in a shared heritage, history, and, God willing, a shared future. We are one body, and no external force should divide us. We will strive to remain close to the other Churches through genuine fraternity, cooperation, and common service. Our concern is not who is greater, but who serves more faithfully, lives more humbly, and embraces the other more openly. Installation homily Mar Polis III Nona

Fifth: Our Unique Identity We live in an age that often blurs identities, traditions, and values. In response, we affirm our Chaldean Eastern heritage as the foundation of our journey of faith. Our faith is rooted in a rich Eastern tradition that stretches back two thousand years. Our liturgy, rite, language, and customs shape who we are and give us a distinct ecclesial identity. This distinction does not place us above others; rather, it reflects our unique way of living and expressing the Christian faith. Far from isolating us from the modern world, our tradition enables us to engage it with confidence and authenticity. By preserving our liturgy, language, theology, and inherited customs, we safeguard the identity through which we share our faith and values with others. When identity is lost, values and purpose are easily weakened. Therefore, we embrace and preserve the fullness of our tradition, which continues to give life, meaning, and direction to our faith today.Installation homily Mar Polis III Nona

Fourth: The Faithful and the Youth as a Living Strength Our Church lives through her faithful and through all who serve with dedication in her mission: deacons and subdeacons, catechists, choirs, youth leaders, council members, and the many volunteers who give of themselves with zeal and love. It is through your service that the Church remains present and active in the world. We must strengthen these groups, affirming that their work is a true ministry of faith. The Church does not live in her leaders alone but in all her members. Together, you and we are the Church. The youth, in particular, are the Church’s vitality and hope. They thirst for faith and seek answers to the deepest questions of life. When they are trusted, heard, and guided, they become committed witnesses of the Gospel, steadfast in hope and courageous in faith. Today, our young people need to discover that they possess a distinct identity within the faith, rooted in a living tradition. By knowing and embracing this heritage, they will come to love their Church more deeply and become active and effective servants both in the Church and in society. Generalities do not satisfy the heart. We must remain firmly grounded in our tradition and identity, for it is there that our uniqueness and strength are found.

Third: The Clergy and Ongoing Formation I want to address our beloved priests: you are deeply loved and esteemed by us and me personally. You will always find in us a sincere and paternal concern for your lives, dignity, spiritual journey, and sacred ministry. We are all servants of the Church, and you are indispensable partners in her mission. Your challenges and ministry are among my foremost concerns. You are not merely functionaries, but apostles and fathers of souls, called to make the Church alive in the world. Your lives must be regarded as precious, reflecting the light of Christ in every dimension. Today, the Church urgently needs genuine paternal care for clergy and Religious. Priests, monks, and nuns should be treated as partners in ecclesial mission, companions on the journey, and consecrated men and women sent forth by the Church, not simply as executors of tasks. This also demands greater responsibility from the clergy, especially in ongoing formation. Quality must be valued over quantity, the inner life over outward appearance, with renewed fidelity to the Church's teaching and canon law. Formation begins in the seminary. We will give special attention to the Patriarchal Seminary, strengthening its educational, human, and spiritual formation, deepening its connection with the eparchies and parish life, and fostering collaboration with the sister churches so that ecclesial ministry is firmly grounded from the beginning. Installation homily Mar Polis III Nona

Second mission objective: today, faith can no longer remain merely an inherited tradition or a point of reference of cultural identity. We are called to cultivate a spiritual life that is deeply rooted, transformative, and fruitful in the world. Faith must be embraced as the very meaning of life, not only as a set of teachings or moral directives. When its mystery is truly encountered, life becomes more joyful, steadfast, and effective in shaping both the individual and the community. Our Church must strive to deepen this understanding of faith, presenting it as a foundation rather than merely an instrument, while clearly expressing its distinct Eastern Catholic theological identity. Our mission is not simply to lead people toward a goal, but to help them encounter the sacred foundation of life itself. From this encounter flows a renewed vision of life that inspires and draws people, just as it inspired our venerable and most illustrious fathers of our Church throughout history. Installation homily Mar Polis III Nona

We will have six ways forward in mission: the first is Unity in the Body of the Church, rooted in Christ’s command that “they may be one.” Our Chaldean Church is one, embracing all her faithful in their various communities: Chaldeans, Assyrian Catholics, and all others besides. This unity is not uniformity of opinion, but shared purpose: to live out the life of Jesus in daily life, ministry, and the Church’s mission. The Chaldean Church is one body, including all its faithful, whether in Iraq, the wider East, or the diaspora. Its continuity in its historical homeland is essential, and efforts must focus on strengthening its liturgical, pastoral, educational, and social presence there, especially for the sake of the younger generations, both at home and abroad. At all times defending the rights and identity of its people, Those in Iraq and the East are called to remain a living witness in their homeland, while those in the diaspora should see their presence as a mission of renewed evangelization. Both contexts are complementary expressions of the same Church. Therefore, much stronger and deeper communication and cooperation between homeland and diaspora are essential, especially among clergy, who must see themselves as members of one unified Church rooted in the East rather than in isolated communities. Installation homily Mar Polis III Nona

Faith, in its essence, is not only the opposite of doubt. It is also the opposite of that closure caused by fear. Faith is a going out of oneself, out of the circle of anxiety, toward trust in a living person. For this reason, the true confrontation with fear is not to deny it but to transform it into a point of encounter with God. This happens when I say, "Yes, I am afraid, but despite this, I choose to trust." Here the heart begins to open again. Only then does the human person begin to see what had been hidden from him: that God was present all along, working in silence, and waiting only for us to open to Him the door of faith. Faith is openness, it is courage, it is the decision to trust, not because I understand everything, but because I know the One in whom I believe. Installation homily Mar Polis III Nona

As for the fearful person, he searches only for what confirms his fears, not for what reveals the presence of God. His eyes become ready to see danger, not grace; and his ears become ready to hear bad news, not the word that gives life. In this way, little by little, the human person enters into a kind of spiritual blindness: God is working, but he does not see Him. God is speaking, but he does not hear Him. This is not because God is absent, but because fear has filled all the inner space. Here we understand why the Lord Jesus says, "Do not be afraid; only believe.” It is as if He opens a window in this closure and redirects the heart from within. Installation homily Mar Polis III Nona

For the work of God often does not come according to our prior calculations, nor within what we consider “safe” or “guaranteed.” God works in surprise, in weakness, and in what seems impossible. Installation homily Mar Polis III Nona

The fearful person tends to withdraw. He does not take risks & does not open himself & does not trust. He searches for safety at any price, even if this safety is only an illusion. He prefers narrow control to free openness. What is more dangerous than all this is that such closure prevents him from seeing the work of God. Mar Polis III Nona

With great joy, I congratulate my dear brother and companion in study, priestly ministry, and episcopal service, His Beatitude Mar Paul III Nona, on his enthronement today as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church. May the Lord bless and strengthen him in this new mission, and grant him many years of fruitful service for our Church and people. Congratulations, Your Beatitude.

Pope Leo’s inspiring words and warm encouragement to the Chaldean Church worldwide, honouring its rich history, tradition and steadfast mission in Christ despite persecutions, and guiding our selection criteria of the next Patriarch, continue to resonate deeply in our hearts.

To my dear friend from seminary days , Patriarch Mar Paul 111 Nona, you have my deep & heartfelt congratulations, my prayers for leading us in unity in shepherding our people worldwide. You are made of holiness “honesty, mercy, and purity of heart” & will lead our Church as such.

The Chaldean bishops gather in the Holy City of Rome to prayerfully discern whom the Holy Spirit is calling to serve as the next Patriarch. As brothers in Christ, we seek wisdom & guidance in our decisions for the good of our Church & its future. We humbly seek your prayers.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Listen to the risen Jesus: He is always with us, especially in His true Presence in the Eucharist

Despite the dangers posed by drones, families bravely gathered in steadfast faith for Good Friday services. They continued visiting churches and parishes, remaining in prayer to the crucified Jesus until late into the evening: a powerful witness of faith, hope and charity.

In Ankawa, amid the fears of war, our hope remains alive: the God who formed humanity from dust and breathed into it the breath of life is the same Lord who took bread, blessed it, and made it His Body, giving us new life in the Eucharist.

Our Palm Sunday processions have not taken place due to security concerns, but every parish church was full as was St Joseph’s Cathedral ; voices lifted in praise, singing “hosanna” to our Lord, praying for His protection and for peace in the Middle East. In Him we trust.

Despite pastoral programmes being cancelled due to drone activity, we prepare for Holy Week commemorating the Passion, Crucifixion & Resurrection of Jesus Christ. His first words to His disciples: “Peace be with you.” That is His love & gift to the world & we must listen to Him.

Can we continue to live here without int’l support? Do our children have the chance to live decent lives & practice their faith, find work? Must we leave everything behind as we are rejected in our homelands? Our crucial role is to keep the voice of Jesus here & our communities.